Missile warhead cart



MISSILE WARHEAD CART 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1959 FIG..!

INVENTORfi RAYMOND R. WERNER EDWIN L. ENGELBERG BY CQJaMW ATTORNEYS June 20, 1961 WERNER ETAL 2,989,197

MISSILE WARHEAD CART 3 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed May 14, 1959 IINVENTORS RAYMOND R. WERNER EDWEN L. ENGELBERG N wi ATTORNEYS June 20, 1961 Filed May 14, 1959 R. R. WERNER ETAL MISSILE WARHEAD CART III 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTORS RAYMOND R. WERNER EDWIN L. ENGELBERG ATTORNEYAY United States Patent ti Patented June 20, 191

Navy

Filed May '14, 1959, Ser. No. 813,319 2 Claims. (Cl. 214-75) This invention relates to a material handling vehicle and more particularly to a vehicle comprising a mobile rotatable crane and a revolvable cradle for handling guided missile warheads of the socalled Standar or nonnuclear type. v f t i Present practice in the art of missile handling and launching isto store and ship guided missiles in component form, each component being individuallypackaged in its own container and normally handled and tested in component form prior to assembly at the ultimate launching installation. This concept allows guided missiles, which may be of ponderous proportions when assembled, to be more easily shipped, stored and tested in smaller units. Because of the complex structure of guided mis siles andthe care and control which must be exercised when handling and testing the components of the missile, conventional handling equipment of the character utilized in handling conventional industrial loads isnotwell suited for the guided missile operation. I

Several forms of warheads are presently being used, each especially equipped with its own container of a type individually peculiar thereto and shipped as a unit to the missile handling depot. One of the more prevalent types of warhead construction used with the launching guided missiles is hereinafter conveniently classified or referred to as the Standard warhead type as distinguished from nuclear or incendiary types. As might be expected, the warhead construction is extremely complicated in part and only the significant structural features necessary to a complete understanding of the present invention will be discussed herein. i

A Standard type warhead is usually delivered in a container in two halves, parted along its longitudinal center line, separated by and fastened to a single adaptor plate which supports the warhead assembly in its container. The adaptor plate is normally provided with four bolt holes for facilitating the handling'operation. A pair of hoisting ears are normally provided on the assembly for lifting the warhead. In order to properly and expeditiously handle missile warheads in the form described some means which is readily adaptable to copingwith the problems involved is required. r

It is accordingly an object of the present inventi'onto provide an improved cargo handling vehicle for hoisting and transporting a heavy, yet delicate load.

Another object of the present invention 'is the provision of an improved missile warhead vehicle having a highly maneuverable crane which is provided with a rotatable counterweighted boom and a vertical standard positioned on the vehicle so as not to interfere with the load-carrying potential of the vehicle. 9

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improved highly maneuverable vehicle having a hoisting apparatus and a stabilizing feature for steadying the vehicle during the hoisting operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved, mobile, cargo handling cart having a simple and light, yet rugged and efiicient cargo hoisting arrangement thereon as well as a rotatable load carrying cradle which will accept and support the load during transit in conjunction with or independent of the hoisting equipment.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved missile warhead cart having a construction which facilitates the unusual handling and carrying procedures necessary to an efficient handling of a Standard type warhead utilized with many present day guided missiles.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention with the Standard" type warhead cradle attached;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the illustrated embodiment of the present invention comprises a chassis 10 having a rectangular platform 11 which is supported for maximum maneuverability at its four corners by caster wheels 12 preferably of the nonsparking type. The platform and chassis may be constructed of welded I-beams and steel plate as illustrated, or of any suitable strong material. A floor lock mechanism 14 is preferably provided on each side of the chassis and may be operated manually by means of a lever. The lock is adapted to engage the deck or floor to stabilize the chassis and to lock it to the floor to maintain the position of the vehicle. A pair of pintle hooks or tug hitches 16 may be provided on either end of the missile warhead cart for connection with a tow bar (not shown) to facilitate moving the loaded cart by means of a conventional mechanical towing car or tractor (not shown).

On the after portion of the platform 11 and preferably on the longitudinal center line thereof there may be bolted a mast support plate 18. A mast or vertical standard 20 is attached to the plate 18 and is preferably supported by a plurality of inclined struts 21 which may be welded or otherwise connected in any suitable manner to the support plate 18 at one end thereof and to the mast 20 at the other extremity. A fixed thrust or stop collar 23 is mounted adjacent the upper end of the mast 20. A rotatable collar or bearing block 22 is suitably journaled on the distal end of mast 20 and carries on its upper end a counterweighted boom assembly. Boom yoke 25 is connected to the collar 22 for rotation therewith relative to collar 23 and may be bolted or otherwise connected to rotatable counter.- weighted boom 26 and to depending channel member 28 for pendant support of the winch assembly. A winch support plate 30 may be welded or otherwise fastened on the lower end of channel member 28 and carries at right angles thereto a shaft support plate 31. Suitable bearings are provided in the shaft support plate for the support of winch handle and cable drum shaft 32 and 33, respectively. The winch preferably comprises a hand crank 35 which operates a worm 36 through a reduction beveled gear drive 37. The worm drives a worm gear 39 mounted on the cable drum or reel 40. This gear arrangement permits the axis of the hand crank to be parallel to the axis of the cable drum 40.

The boom 26 is preferably rotatable through 360 to allow a load to be hoisted from any direction with respect to the vehicle. The boom may comprise a pair of spaced channel members bolted or otherwise suitably connected to the outside faces of boom yoke 25. Diagonal braces 24 preferably interconnect the counterweight end of the boom with channel member 28. Band shackle 29 is disposed to encircle the mast to add to the overall rigidity of the crane structure. The length of the boom is preferably determined so that the load may be conveniently lowered into the cradle attachment, as will become more clear as the description proceeds. A counterweight 27 may be connected to one end of the boom to prevent tipping of the cart, while a hoisting sheave or pulley 42 is preferably journaled at the working end of the boom. Another sheave 43 is preferably rotatably housed in the boom on the opposite side of the mast from the hoisting sheave 42 and directly above the winch cable drum 40. A working cable 44 may be connected at one end to the cable drurn 40, led through sheave 43 and hoist sheave 42 and may be provided with a cargo or load hook 46 on its working extremity. It is to be understood that a rope or chain could be substituted for the illustrated cable and that the winch mechanism could be adapted to be power driven.

On the forward portion of the cart platform 11 there may be positioned a rotatable cradle assembly for use as part of the cart when a "Standard warhead type is to be transported. To facilitate this operation the forward portion of the chassis may be provided with apertures for insertion of indexing pins through the cradle or stanchion base and the vehicle chassis. This arrangement permits of ready removal of the instant type of cradle assembly in the event another type of cradle of the character disclosed in US. Patent 2,851,235 granted to Seymour Henig, and dated September 9, 1958 is desired to be utilized on the warhead cart.

The Standard warhead stanchion 50 may be constructed of a plurality of substantially upright supports 51 interconnected by crosspieces 53 in a longitudinal direction and by a pair of transverse connecting members 54 across the platform surface. A pair of channel members 56 welded or otherwise connected to depending keel members of tongues 57 may comprise a platform attaching base. The chassis and the keel members on each side of the cart may be apertured so that the stanchion is readily attached to the vehicle by registering the holes and inserting the index pins 58 therethrough. The pins may be suitably chained to the vehicle chassis to prevent the loss thereof.

A Standard type warhead as indicated generally in broken outline may be of the general character illustrated in US. Patent 2,779,282 of Z. M. Raffel, dated January 27, 1957. However for purposes of illustration the cars 98 are of a slightly different character. The warhead is normally attached to an apertured adaptor plate which divides the warhead body along its longitudinal center line. A pair of rotatably mounted plates 60. 61 are provided with normally extending projections 62, 63, respectively, equipped with a plurality of upstanding pins 65 adapted for registry with suitably disposed holes in the warhead mounting plate described heretofore, and a pair of projecting bosses 66, 67 to which the clamp hinges 68, 69 are pivotally connected. A pair of pressure clamps 70, 72 may be positioned in spaced relationship to the projections 62, 63, respectively, and are preferably provided with one or more pressure devices such as bolts and wing nuts 73, 74 to permit the gripping of the warhead mounting plate between the pressure clamps 70, 72 and rotatable plate projections 62, 63.

The rotatable or revolvable plate 60 is connected through suitable bearings and shafting to a worm and worm gear drive at 76 for actuation by crank 75 to cause the clamps 70, 72 and projections 62, 63 to be rotated while the plate 61 is suitably carried by a journaled shaft to permit rotation thereof. The Standard" type warhead may be removed from its container with a sling 99 which attaches to hoisting cars 98 of the warhead assembly. The warhead assembly is raised above and swung over the cradle and then lowered into the cradle with the four index pins matching or registering with the holes in the warhead adaptor or mounting plate. The clamps 70, 72 may be positioned over the mounting plate and screwed into hard contact therewith. The upper half of the missile may be removed from the mounting plate and installed on the missile, whereupon the missile may be rotated 180. The half of the warhead still remaining on the mounting plate is revolvedl80 by means of worm gear drive 76 operated by crank on the stanchion or cradle assembly 50. The remaining half of the warhead may then be completely removed from the divider or mounting plate and installed on the missile.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the boom length and the positioning of the cradle on the cart plaform are determined so as to place the warhead body in its cradle or stanchion when lowered by the working cable. The warhead bodies are normally provided with hoisting ears and sling 99 may be shackled thereto to lift the warhead from its shipping container.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A missile warhead cart comprising a caster supported base having a flat surface thereon, a revolvable warhead carrying cradle positioned on the flat platform of the vehicle, said platform comprising a plurality of interconnected substantially upright supporting members, a plurality of revolvable plates, a plurality of plate projections, clamping means positioned in spaced relationship with said plate projections, means for revolving the plate projections and the clamps, and means for attaching the cradle to the cart.

2. A warhead cart comprising a mobile chassis, a detachable cradle adapted to be positioned on the chassis, said cradle comprising a plurality of substantially upright supports, interconnecting crosspieces for joining the supports in a longitudinal direction, a pair of traversely extending connecting members, a platform attaching base including apertured keel members, a pair of rotatable plates, a pair of normally extending projections attached to the plates, a plurality of upstanding pins on the projections, pressure clamps positioned in spaced relationship to the projections, and means for rotating the plates including a worm, a worm gear and a crank handle whereby a warhead may be placed between the supports, clamped to the cradle and rotated about its longitudinal ax1s.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

